PHUKET: The Bangkok campaign to clean up Phuket will last as long as it takes, Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud told Phuket's honorary consuls today.

He also revealed that the bus service from the airport to Patong is likely to be extended to Kata and Karon soon, with new routes to Rawai and Kamala due to begin ''within two months.''

Talking with the envoys for the first time in almost 12 months, Governor Maitree updated progress on Phuket across several fronts.

Following the governor's remarks, British honorary consul Martin Carpenter told the gathering at Provincial Hall in Phuket City that the British embassy reiterated the seven points made in the statement about Phuket's problems earlier this year.

Governor Maitree said that the new campaign, led by the Department of Special Investigation, was focussing on transport, and on Thai and foreign investors.

Netherlands honorary consul Seven Smulders asked whether the investigation extended to encroachment on the beaches and land titles.

The governor responded that money-laundering and investors' nominees would also come under scrutiny.

German ambassador Dirk Naumann said the news that the aiprort bus service is up and running was ''absolutely wonderful.''

''We all hope that Kata and Karon will fall into line,'' he said. ''Whoever has orchestrated this achievement has done a wonderful job.''

Australian honorary consul Larry Cunningham said that he had met with Australian ambassador earlier in the day and added that the Australian Government was ''very happy that the DSI is taking an interest in Phuket.''

The honorary consuls had all ''tried and tried and tried'' to improve the situation, he said.

''Extortion, jet-ski problems . . . resorts are still being held to ransom by the taxi drivers outside their gates,'' he said.

''I know my colleagues have tried very hard and I hope the DSI will have success in improving these problems that have been going on for the previous 10 years,'' he said.

The governor has set aside November 26 for the next honorary consuls' meeting.



''Issues such as jet-ski ripoffs, tailor touts, mysterious deaths and corrupt activities are likely to be raised when the Governor of Phuket meets expat honorary consuls regularly,'' Phuketwan reported back in November, 2009.

The occasion was a meeting between then German Ambassador Dr Hanns H. Schumacher and the Governor at the time, Wichai Praisa-ngob.

In March that year, Dr Schumacher became really annoyed and stormed off because the governor, new to the job, was busy and failed to keep an appintment on time.

But when they finally met, the concept of regular meetings of the honorary consuls on Phuket was born. And so it began.

Over the next couple of years, Phuket's honorary consuls did more than just raise Phuket's problems.

They created such a level of concern that the ambassadors of the European Union eventually asked the Thai Government to act to fix the problems.

Today, after an absence of 11 months, the honorary consuls made their way back to Phuket Provincial Hall for a first meeting under the present Governor.



.. An efficient and fairly priced public transport system in Phuket which is available to foreign tourists and residents alike.

.. An end to intimidatory and violent behavior by an element of tuk-tuk and taxi drivers.

.. Strict enforcement of marine safety standards, including flags on beaches to indicate when it is safe to swim.

.. Strict enforcement of standards of behavior for public officials, including police and Immigration, to ensure that foreign visitors and residents feel protected, treated in a fair way and never at risk of extortion.

.. An end to scams involving hiring of equipment such as jet skis or motorbikes.

.. Strict enforcement of road safety regulations.

.. Promotion of environmental issues, including monitoring of water quality.



Corruption Start a well-promoted public campaign to end corruption on the island and prosecute any official caught taking bribes. Investigate all allegations about Immigration officers and police. Create a corruption-free Phuket model for other provinces.

Sustainability Begin an investigation into what's required to keep Phuket a natural and appealing destination and set limits on development and tourist numbers based on the results of that investigation. Save the reefs and the beaches. Create a Phuket Beach Authority.

Transport Require all tuk-tuk and taxi drivers to register again and to meet international standards of service before being given new licences. Reduce their numbers by 10 percent a year for three years, offering alternative training. Introduce a call centre and abolish double-payment for journeys passengers don't make.

Crime Provide an extra 500 police for Phuket based on its actual population. Take up the Australian ambassador's suggestion of obliterating all illegal weapons and make the island a no-guns, no-knives zone.